The AMD Radeon RX 9070 graphics card has recently sparked interest among hardware enthusiasts due to a BIOS modification experiment. A user named Gurdi from the PCGamesHardware forum successfully boosted the card’s performance by replacing the RX 9070’s BIOS with that of the RX 9070 XT, even surpassing the factory RX 9070 XT in several tests.
Both the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are built on AMD’s latest Navi 48 GPU. Although they share the same underlying chip, there are significant differences in their core specifications. The RX 9070 XT has more compute cores and higher clock speeds, while the non-XT version is more strictly limited out of the box. Gurdi’s experiment shows that these limitations can be overcome by flashing the BIOS. Specifically, the unmodified RX 9070 runs at frequencies between 2140 and 2610 MHz with a power consumption of 220W. After modification, the frequencies increase to 2480 to 3030 MHz, and the power consumption rises to 317W. This boost allows the non-XT version to approach or even exceed the performance of the XT version, even though the number of cores does not increase with the modification – the difference in core count is determined by the physical design of the chip and cannot be unlocked via software.
In the experiment, Gurdi used an ASUS PRIME series RX 9070 graphics card and flashed it with the BIOS of an RX 9070 XT from the same series. The modified card performed excellently in synthetic tests like 3DMark, with scores improving by 15% to 20% compared to its original state, even surpassing the reference design RX 9070 XT in some scenarios. Gaming performance tests also showed advantages. For example, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p resolution, the modified RX 9070 achieved an average frame rate of 85 FPS, slightly higher than the RX 9070 XT’s 82 FPS. This result is surprising because the XT version has more compute units in terms of hardware.
It’s worth noting that differences in hardware configuration also affect the feasibility of the modification. The RX 9070 XT typically features three 8-pin power connectors to support its higher power demands, while the non-XT version only uses two 8-pin connectors. Nevertheless, the modified card’s 317W power consumption remained within the limits of the two connectors. The peak operating temperature was controlled at 57°C, and the hotspot temperature was 86°C, indicating the stability of ASUS’s cooling system. However, the modification is not without its drawbacks. Gurdi pointed out that Ultra-Low Power State (ULPS) is disabled after the modification, and in some cases, manual adjustments are needed to avoid system instability. This reminds users that while BIOS flashing can improve performance, it also carries certain risks.
In fact, BIOS modification is not new in the graphics card realm. More than a decade ago, players used similar methods to upgrade lower-end models to higher-end versions. With the increasing complexity of modern GPU designs, manufacturers often use hardware locks or firmware restrictions to prevent such operations. The successful modification of the RX 9070 suggests that AMD has retained some flexibility in the RDNA 4 architecture. This also aligns with AMD’s market strategy – the RX 9070 series is positioned in the mid-range market, and through modification, non-XT users can obtain a performance experience close to or even surpassing the XT version with minimal effort, which undoubtedly increases the product’s appeal.
To further understand the modification potential, reports indicate that some users have attempted to overclock the modified RX 9070 to 3.3 GHz with a power consumption approaching 330W, achieving performance close to the previous generation flagship RX 7900 XT. Additionally, AMD plans to launch the RX 9070 GRE (Gaming Radeon Edition), which is expected to offer performance close to the non-XT version at a lower price, further enriching the product line. This information suggests that the RX 9070 series has high playability in terms of design and is suitable for hardware enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering.
For ordinary users, modifying the BIOS requires a certain level of technical expertise, such as familiarity with BIOS flashing tools (like AMDVBiosFlash) and the ability to handle potential compatibility issues. If it fails, the graphics card may not boot, and even a spare GPU might be needed for recovery. More importantly, modification will void the warranty, which is a significant consideration for users seeking stability. However, for adventurous enthusiasts, the relevant BIOS files have been made public on the internet, providing an opportunity to try.
From a technical perspective, the Navi 48 chip in the non-XT version has its frequency and power consumption limited, but its underlying hardware potential is not fully restricted. This design may be intentional by AMD for market segmentation, while also leaving room for players to explore. At the same time, the RDNA 4 architecture featured in the RX 9070 series brings other improvements, such as third-generation ray accelerators and 16GB of GDDR6 memory, making it excellent for 1440p gaming. The performance boost after modification further strengthens its competitiveness in the mid-range market.
The BIOS modification of the RX 9070 provides an interesting case for tech enthusiasts. It not only showcases the appeal of hardware modification but also reflects the flexibility of AMD’s product design. For users hoping to obtain higher performance at a lower cost, this is undoubtedly a direction worth paying attention to. However, the risks and rewards of modification coexist, and how to weigh them depends on individual needs and technical capabilities.